Oden is living nearby in Columbus. His agent, Mike Conley Sr., said last week Oden has been to see the Cavs a couple of times already, but was evasive when pressed as to what capacity.

“Greg has been up there (to Cleveland) before and he’ll probably be up there again in an official capacity,” Conley said Friday.

The Cavs have been interested in Oden for years, believing their partnership with the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic (which holds naming rights to the team's practice facility) could be huge for Oden's career.

Oden has endured three microfracture surgeries on his knees – including two on his left knee. He has not played since Dec. 5, 2009 after the Portland Trail Blazers made him the top overall pick of the 2007 draft.